Monday, December 01, 2008

An Apple For the Teacher (But Only If She Really Likes Apples)

The remarkable people who teach my children deserve gigantic, generous gifts for Christmas--maybe a new laptop tied with a big, red bow, with a gift card to a spa tucked in for good measure?

That's what they deserve. But I have four kids, all with multiple teachers (I am including, of course, the PE teacher, librarian, computer lab helper, and the school nurse. WE MUSN'T FORGET THE SCHOOL NURSE. My accident-prone children have spent so much time there--one even set a school record for number of visits in one day--that it feels like she should be getting a cut of my health insurance premiums.)

Add to that the soccer coaches, bus driver, crossing guard, ballet teachers, etc. etc., and there are a lot of people investing in my children, all richly deserving of some recognition at the holiday season. But I have no budget for laptops and spa gift cards. I want to be thoughtful in my gift-giving to these fine people, but I also have to be sensible.

So I did some very scientific research on the subject of how to accomplish this best. I e-mailed people (and that is scientific, because there was a computer involved)--current teachers, past ones, principals, friends who teach, etc. Their advice on the subject was excellent, and I'll highlight a few of the things they had to say. There were several recurring themes:

1. Not all teachers collect apple-ish, chalkboard-ish, school-themed items. In fact, many don't. The apple ornament that bears the word: "To teach is to touch a life forever"? Yes, well, she probably got eight of those last year. Think outside the box. Or apple. Instead, take a little time to find out what she does collect or enjoy. The cardinal rule of gift-giving is to give others what they'd like, not what you think they should like.

2. Ditto with the mugs. There are only so many coffee mugs a human can own.

3. Personal notes from parents and teachers mean a lot.Truly personal notes, from your heart. Not just, "Thanks for your hard work," but "thank you for spending so much of your personal time helping Johnny develop his organizing skills this year. It's made a difference, and he we knew he's in better shape for 4th grade next year because of you." Teaching is often a thankless job, and teachers hear many complaints from parents. Be the exception, and write a letter telling your child's teachers what they've done well. "It's the kind of thing I save forever," one teacher friend told me.

4. Spending a lot of money is not necessary. Of the many teachers I heard from, not a one of them mentioned, "Gee, I wish these kids would pony up and buy me an iPod." On the contrary, they all expressed acknowledgement that budgets are tight. Several said it's very meaningful to them when the entire class pitches in a couple of dollars each and buys a gift certificate to the teacher's favorite restaurant.

5. Small gift cards are great, too. A $5 gift card to Starbucks or Blockbuster may seem small, but if a teacher gets 10 of those dealies, he'll be set.

6. Homemade baked goods are generally a hit. Of course, you need to take into account your teacher's preferences (and allergies!), but most teachers expressed a fondness for personal gifts like these. One teacher wrote to me that some of her best recipes have come from the gifts her parents have made. In fact (shhhh...), this year for my kids' teachers/coaches/etc. I'm planning to package up this in mason jars. This stuff is so unbelievably good your eyes will roll back in your head. I made a test batch last month, just to be sure, and I ate it. ALL. My stomach hurt for a week, but it was worth it. For another idea, consider making hot drink mixes. I actually did a post about this at Work-It Mom last week; you can see the recipes here.

7. Office supplies are practical and thoughtful. Many school district budgets don't allow money for teachers to stay stocked up on pens and notepads other office supplies, so they have to do this at their own expense. Consider packaging up a small batch of these things, tied with a bow. If that sounds like a dull gift to you, then you need to come spend some time in my universe, where office supplies are THE most exciting thing that can happen. Seriously, buy me a new bag of pens, and I am strangely entertained for a week.

What are you giving your kids' teachers this year? Have any creative ideas? I know many of you schoolteachers yourself--do you have any additional input you'd like to share?

152 Comments

My daughter's teacher loves Sonic ice and their tea. She has 3 cups on her desk. One with Sonic ice, one with water, and one with Sonic tea. EVERY day. We are getting her a Sonic gift card for Christmas.

I save up my airmiles all year long and use them to 'purchase' Starbucks gift cards for all the teachers, soccer coaches, Irish dancing teachers, theatre class teachers, etc etc etc. I attach the card to a small cellophane bag with a few home made cookies and little Christmas chocolates. Yay for whipped shortbread!

As a former teacher I know all too well about getting a bunch of gifts you don't really want or need (yep, lookin' at you 2 Teach is 2 Touch Lives 4 Ever mug). This year we are honoring my daughter's teachers by picking out ducks, goats, trees, etc. for the needy from the World Vision catalog.

I give a small, handmade calendar to each teacher. She can personalize it with her own pictures or just use it as is because it is cute with ribbon and patterned paper. I have even gotten some requests from teachers past to buy one from me for the upcoming year.

Last year I gave the people in the before/after care program (4 women) small bags with a mini bag of popcorn two packest of hot chocolate and $5 Blockbuster card. They loved it.

This year my son's room parents decided we'd give a set amount of money that will go towards all the parties, teacher gifts and supplies. I don't mind shopping but if i can cross one thing off my list I'm all for it.

You guys have gotta check out the personalised teacher stickers available at www.threedoggraphx.com
These folks are US based and they even do international shipping. I bought some for my little people's teachers last year, and have requests for repeat gifts this year.
One other idea is that a friend and I got together and made personalised pencil/pen cases and then filled them with office supplies.
Mel

My daughter's teachers (middle school) sent a note home before Thanksgiving with a gentle reminder that gifts are nice and thoughtful, but please spare us the mugs/ornaments/apples...

They asked for school supplies, but if we really felt like giving a gift, gift cards and homemade items are nice. One particular teacher, it was noted, strongly dislikes chocolate.

I can see some of the other parents I know getting huffy and offended by a letter like this, but I think it is warranted. Anything we can do to cut back on waste is a good thing---whether it is the waste of having 52 coffee mugs or wasting money on buying gifts that aren't really needed.

Teacher here... there truly is nothing greater than heartfelt thanks. Of all the gifts I've received over the years, the parents and kids who took the time to write out how much they appreciated me were the best gifts ever.

Remember, we teachers are extremely passionate about your children, and we love love love to hear you recognize that.

(Oh, and the $5 Starbucks or office supply card is a fabulous compliment to your sweet words) :)

Being a teacher, I did like when the entire class went in on a gift card b/c you can only have so many "apple" pins! But, so true about the Letters..that is what makes it all well worth it!
-sandy toes

I am a teacher and I totally agree with your list-- also thank you for putting in the the special note in the home made goodies section! I am allergic to gluten so most baked goods are out. I let all of my first graders (and their parents know, so I don't hurt any feelings during holiday parties a birthdays!

great post! i was in early childhood for nearly 10 years and it never ceased to amaze me some of the gifts i received, both as a teacher and director! to most people a $5 giftcard to starbucks is nothing, but when you're working 12hour days and taking lesson plans home with you, that latte means more than you know! i still have old cards and letters from my very first students that i hold dear...makes me remember how much i loved teaching!

Thanks for this great list. I am not a classroom teacher, but I get a dozen gifts or so a year. Another website posts a list every year and includes things we really don't want like scented soaps and candles. Sometimes these are great, but 2 out of 3 are not my style. I would totally rather have a handful of chocolates (to share with my husband) and a nice thank you note.

When I was a kid, we gave "teacher tea" which was a spiced tea recipe that was nestea, tang, and some spices. Just add hot water. Or we gave hot chocolate mix, which I can't remember now, but it was soooooo good.

We only have the Sunday School teacher to give to, and I have no idea what to give her. Probably pumpkin bread.

As a teacher's wife AMEN and AMEN to the mugs/cutsy apple/chalkboard stuff. I've had to smuggle many a mug out of here so I could have room for MY coffee mugs!

A gift card is great, but make sure it is one that the teacher could use. DH gets lots of them to Starbucks...he hates coffee and the atmosphere of spending lots of money on a drink. Bad for him, but, good for me! I count it as the bonus *I* get for being a teacher's wife!

As for the baked goods, we love them. Takes the pressure off ME to bake during a busy season. :)

I always write a nice note to the teacher and put in a gift card. The last year or two I have been doing wal-mart gift cards. I do wal-mart for two reasons. The first is that I know teachers spend a lot of their own money on things for the classroom (school supplies, rewards for the kids etc.). Most, if not all of that stuff, can be bought at wal-mart so I hope that my gift card takes some of the burden off the teacher. Second, if they don't want to use it for school stuff, I am sure they can find something they want/need at wal-mart. And, since a really nice, new super wal-mart (one of 11 prototypes in the country of their new "upscale" store) opened up almost within walking distance of the school I know it will be convenient to use.

I will say that now that my son is in first grade I am going to make him write at least part of the note this year :-).

great ideas! we usually give our son's teacher homemade goodies and fruits, but this is his first year in middle school which means he has multiple teachers. i'll have to be more creative since we'll be on a budget :). but we always include a thank you note to offer them encouragement. like you said, being a teacher can be a thankless job.

I'm a former teacher. AMEN to the "not all teachers like apple-themed stuff" part. Unless of course you are referring to the Mac Apple. Then BRING IT.
I also have a box full of mugs in my garage. Got WAAAYYY too many of them.
The best gift I ever got from a student wasn't actually on a holiday. It was on the first day of school. I had a parent come in my classroom that morning when she dropped her son off and ask me what I was cooking for dinner. Of course, Wendy's was on the menu for that night - first day of school exhaustion doesn't generally lend itself to a home cooked meal. She said that she'd be back before school got out with dinner for my family. About 2:15, she came back with a big box. It had lasagna, salad, bread, dessert, and tea. It was cooked in disposable containers so I didn't have to return anything. She also included paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils and cups....read: no dishes to clean up. All I had to do was pop it in the oven for a minute to re-heat. It was HANDS DOWN the best gift anyone could've given me.

Mix all ingredients together. That's it! I like to pour the ingredients into used and cleaned Starbucks bottles. You can easily tie a ribbon around the neck of the bottle and cover the lid with a decorative label of your own choosing. It makes a pretty display with all the colors and it's super yummy too! You could have your child (if able) a note of gratitude or picture, if they're unable to write yet and send it along with the gift.

I've included a link to my blog showing pictures of how you could package the treats if you're so inclined. *wink*
Please note: the little buckets are usually found in Target's Dollar section.

One year I got a beautiful assortment of Bath & Body Works lotions, creams, etc. from one of my students. Later, I found out that she had SHOPLIFTED them at the mall. I felt strangely special that she wanted to shoplift something to give me!

So funny to hear about Sonic! That is a favorite teacher gift here too! Hey, does anyone know where Antique Mommy has gotten to? Missin her like crazy! One post back but have to say I LOVE ETSY!!!! Blessings!

I love your list. My kids pick out a Christmas ornament each year that reminds them of their teacher: her likes, her interests, etc. And we kick in $10 for the class cash card. (Which, for some reason, I always seem to be the one to organize and buy.)

Something we used to do at the end of the year, not necessarily for the holidays, was to invite them for lunch. The children had to help prepare the meal. It was always a huge hit with the teachers. We would do something that wasn't too expensive like a taco bar etc.

If you feel you must get something more "standard," at least give something that gets used up--a candle or lotion instead of a picture frame.

And why not give a casserole instead of baked goods? That is usually more expensive, though. The teacher lounge fridge might hold it for the day until he or she goes home. At Christmastime, teachers are grading a LOT of papers.

Our PTF has us fill out "info sheets" at the beginning of each year where we can list various favorites (restaurants, authors, stores, colors, themes in our home, etc, plus any allergies... ). Most parents know to check that before purchasing, so it works really well!

I always buy my son's teacher a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or store. His teacher this year loves to knit so I am getting a gift certificate to a nice yarn store.

At my boy's school, the room parents request a small cash donation to go towards the purchase of Christmas, birthday and teacher appreciation gifts. Another Mom and I are going to use some of the money to make chair totes (something similar to this: http://www.ott-pouch.com/) for added storage in the classroom.

During Teacher Appreciation Week, parents will bring the teacher dinner to take home every night during the week.

My son's school takes donations and splits it up equally between all the classroom and other teachers and staff. They get a card with names who donated (no amounts) and a wad of cash to do with as they please. It's wonderful.

THANK YOU for this post! I didn't even have my son's teachers on my Christmas list, or the helpers in class. I think I'll do some mason jars with dry ingredients for recipes...or something along those lines with a thank you note.

Last year, I created breakfast order forms and gave them out to all the various people who help out with my son at his school (PE teacher, office manager, aides, and so forth). It was a simple postcard with a thank you note on one side and the breakfast order form on the other. It was a way I could spend about $5 on each person but also take a little something off them for the day. With a list of three day options and three place options, they each customized breakfast.

This would definitely only work in certain circumstances--namely, that you lived near enough to your child's teacher for it to be helpful and especially that you're confident that he or she would actually WANT to take you up on this.

We all know that baby-sitting is at the same time a luxury and a necessity. What about watching the teacher's own kids for an evening?

When I taught, I would have only taken a couple of families up on that offer. But I would have been ECSTATIC if they had offered!

When I taught, I always loved to get Christmas ornaments from the kids. Some were store bought and some were homemade. I would decorate my classroom tree every year with all of my ornaments. It was like going down memory lane whenever I put up my tree.

Awesome list! I was a teacher in my pre-mommy days. We used to joke that we should prominently display our Starbucks cups during the month of December, or recap our weekend dinner at our favorite restaurant. All kidding aside, one year I received 17 boxes of chocolate. Yikes.

Also, watch for the drink containers on the teacher's desk. I noticed last year, that every day, my son's teacher had a Sonic cup on her desk. So we got her a Sonic gift card and she loved it.

As far as office supplies go, when I taught I would have wanted: dry erase markers, a box of the nice fancy pens, the black plastic clips that fold down to hold the papers in place, a nice sturdy clipboard, multi=colored packs of paper (I loved to print out on colored paper, but the office rarely had it in stock), multi-colored index cards, or a gift card to the local teacher store.

Loving your ideas and all the ones in the comments section!
Our school does cash- cash only for teachers and that seems to be a HUGE hit. They end up with several hundred $$ in cash before Christmas- who wouldn't love that? They've already started organizing it and try to get it in early- I know they appreciate that. I might go the extra mile this year, though and add some of that yummy looking mix! You can't do enough for those teachers- bribery included!

Hi Shannon, you're brilliant! :) Great post. My sons are in hi school, so no gifts to teachers. (Do hi-schoolers normally take gifts? mmmm ...) and my dtr. will be giving her teacher a set of coasters that she made for less than $1.50! I think the homemade gifts are IT! But it's hard to get a boy to do something ...
Happy late TG!

The teachers at my son's school fill out a "Teacher Favorites" sheet every year which is then given to the Room Mother. That way we know what gift cards, collectibles, etc. to purchase. His class is collecting money to go in to get her a gift card this year.

I am also making Red Velvet Cake Balls (go to www.allrecipes.com for the recipe) for the extra-curricular teachers. I'm going to put a dozen in a bakery box and tie with a Christmas ribbon. It looks very professional. (For ideas on how to decorate them, go to www.cakeballs.com). These are always a hit.

I'm a high-school teacher and it is NOT COOL to give your high-school teacher gifts, it seems. But I have received several really touching gifts. Two were letters written by my high school students thanking me and telling me what they liked best about my classes. I think those were the best. I also received two edible gifts and a five-dollar gift card to a local coffee shop. I don't expect anything, but it really is nice to hear from kids I spend hours and hours with each week and their families!
~Kristin

My son's teacher is getting a gift bag with homemade candy a gift card and school spray.
The school spray is my hairspray that smells heavenly. Each day the teacher smells my son's hair and comments on how good it smells.

I AM a teacher...and I love things I am constantly buying for my class. Keep in mind I teach kindergarten...I love wiggly eyes, pon poms, pipe cleaner, etc. GIft cards to eat out are also wonderful! Teachers everywhere are thanking you for NO MORE ornaments or apples! Great job!

We usually package up a bunch of different "exotic" fruits like pineapple, mangos, star fruit, kiwis and the like; things that aren't the usual ones that end up in the grocery cart. Our teachers have always expressed how much they love it, especially at a time of year that has so many desserts.

I usually buy some attractive wire baskets (not school or holiday themed if possible) and put some baked goods in, as well as blank note cards and a nice pen. I like to give teachers things that are consumable or reusable. This is a great list.

When I was teaching, One of the best gifts I got was staple gun! I had cinder block walls with a strip of veeery hard wood around the top to hang things. My thumb was always sore from trying to push tacks into it. A mother was in class doing something else and saw me struggle with it one day and so bought me a staple gun! My advice is, when you are in the classroom, be aware of things the teacher might need, and listen carefully to the teacher and your kids.

I'm crafting an accordian folder (think large envelopes glued back to back, with the openings at the top) and in each pocket putting something for the classroom. I found 2 packets of pre-cut bulletin board letters at the Dollar Store, and a giant pack of chart stickers on clearance- those each get a pocket. In the last pocket I thought I'd put a $5 gift card to the local coffee shop for something personal for her. The total spent will be about $10.

I doubt I'll do anything this involved or expensive once my kids have multiple teachers, but this year, we only have one special teacher to gift. :)

We have a pecan tree in our back yard and so far we have picked up 90 lbs of pecans. We're shelling them and putting pecan halves in a clear treat bag and tying the top with ribbon. We are also making Spritz cookies and also placing them in clear bags with ribbon. Each teacher will get one bag of nuts and one bag of cookies. Frugal, pretty and yummy...what could be better?

PS If you want the Spritz cookie recipe it is posted on my blog today ;-)

How about something personalized with their monogram or a single intial. MOST of our procuts are under $20- many under $10. Taking the time to get them something personalized is thoughtful! Use code noshipping at checkout for free shipping too! (must click apply to activate) thanks!!!

This year the music, p.e., art, & piano teachers are each receiving a $10 gift card to Starbucks and a thank you note from the student. I figure Starbucks is sure thing- if they don't like coffee, they can easily re-gift it. The everyday teachers are getting personalized note pads "From the Desk of Mrs. Smith" along with a thank you letter. They were only $15 a IMHO are very cute. Check out pjgreetings.com BTW - I am in no way affiliated with pj's greetings- just a long time customer.

Speaking in my teacher-voice: personal notes are THE BEST. I have a whole file folder full of personal notes I have received throughout the years, and each year I read through them and smile. They are definitely a treasure.

And yeah, little gift cards are awesome, too. Just $5 to Sonic or Chick-fil-a...a little treat when I otherwise wouldn't get one for myself. Perfect. Handmade and homemade things are good, too.

One year, my entire class bought a star in my name. That was an awesome gift, too. Donations to favorite charities are great as well.

I needed this post! My son isn't in school, but I wanted to do something special for his Kids' Day Out teachers - they work like crazy too!

I have decided to make notecard sets for them (I have 4 teachers in all to get for) using plain note cards & envelopes and stamps & ink pads that I can borrow for free. Because who can't use a few note cards?

Great post! As a teacher, thank you. I would also consider omitting smelly lotions and bath stuff because they are too personal, but anti-bacterial hand soap like Bath and Body Works are great! Usually you can hit a deal where you get like 4 for $10.

ALSO a former teacher...I loved the $5 gift cards, also to Barnes & Noble (English teacher!). I was not a fan of baked goods, and still don't like the plates of mixed goodies from the neighbors. Here's why:

If the parents smoke, the whole plate will smell.

I don't like peanut butter cookies, and one of those will also scent the whole batch.

I like to know what I'm eating. If it's labeled, that's much better.

But really, I heartily agree with the notes. I loved getting emails from parents telling of their child's progress. I've kept them.

AND, my favorite gift(s)? Anything lizards. My students all knew I collected them (my nickname) so I got several. Yay!

Thanks to all the parents who remember those folks who put up with their kids all day!

I am a former teacher & my hubby is a teacher as well. I am giving my teachers each a personalized notepad (that I make and sell on my website) along with some BBW hand sanitizer in smell good holiday scents, and a jar I made using vinyl stickers I bought from jkstudio vinyl on etsy (They say teaching is a gift from the heart on them).

High School English teacher here (read: all I ever do is read stacks and stacks of essays). THANKS for the post! Don't forget your high schooler's teachers. We don't have class "moms" looking out for us.

I agree with Damsel: TIME is what I really want. I spend hours at work everyday, do the daycare drop-off, make dinner, clean my house, and run errands just like anyone else.

And then I start marking up essays so a generation of teens can successfully write papers in college. It takes HOURS every week.

Restaurant gift cards or a packaged, homemade dinner for my family ranks high on my list, with a personalized note telling me that my investment in your child is special to you. All the notes I've received over the years decorate my wall near my desk. :)

High School English teacher here (read: all I ever do is read stacks and stacks of essays). THANKS for the post! Don't forget your high schooler's teachers. We don't have class "moms" looking out for us.

I agree with Damsel: TIME is what I really want. I spend hours at work everyday, do the daycare drop-off, make dinner, clean my house, and run errands just like anyone else.

And then I start marking up essays so a generation of teens can successfully write papers in college. It takes HOURS every week.

Restaurant gift cards or a packaged, homemade dinner for my family ranks high on my list, with a personalized note telling me that my investment in your child is special to you. All the notes I've received over the years decorate my wall near my desk. :)

A former teacher here! I worked for a very small private school (there were usually 6 teachers/aids during the year). We also got tired of the apples/chalkboards/mugs so we asked the parents to buy things for the school -- anything from construction paper to picnic talbes.

My favorite gifts were always things that the children themselves made, like Christmas ornaments or pictures.

Another cheap idea is to buy amaryllis or paperwhite bulbs. Plant them in a cheap clay pot (you could paint it red) and you are set. Tie up the pot in clear cellophane with a nice ribbon and growing instructions attached.

My Mom always made these spectacular loaves of pumpkin walnut bread for my teachers growing up ... wrapped them up in decorated celophane and ribbons, etc. When we returned from Christmas break, I ALWAYS had a number of teachers tell me how much they loved the bread. Having been a teacher myself now, I know it doesn't take much to say thank you. Heck, after spending a day with a bunch of kids (whom I loved, but lets be real ...), who doesn't feel like eating a loaf of sugary bread, lol?!

My mom was a teacher and if I were a different person, I'd have apply teacher gifts for both my kids forever. She always kept them because she really did remember each kid.
Homebaked goods were always well received, but notes were best.
Here, our preschool teacher requests no presents but if you feel compelled, bookstore cards so she can stock the classroom library.
And a few years ago, when I needed to make some charitable donations due to a once-in-a-lifetime situation the school was thrilled when I called to ask what they needed donated in honor of the two in my son's classroom. We still sent cookies or something else little to them but bought two new tricycles for the playground and put each teacher's name on one.
Awesome list, Shannon. Thanks so much for kickstarting me on these...I've been dreading figuring out what to do with the CCD teachers, the dance class teacher, the babysitters and dog walkers and and and and and ... Really good start here!

High School English teacher here (read: all I ever do is read stacks and stacks of essays). THANKS for the post! Don't forget your high schooler's teachers. We don't have class "moms" looking out for us.

I agree with Damsel: TIME is what I really want. I spend hours at work everyday, do the daycare drop-off, make dinner, clean my house, and run errands just like anyone else.

And then I start marking up essays so a generation of teens can successfully write papers in college. It takes HOURS every week.

Restaurant gift cards or a packaged, homemade dinner for my family ranks high on my list, with a personalized note telling me that my investment in your child is special to you. All the notes I've received over the years decorate my wall near my desk. :)

My husband teaches and he's looking forward to all the Starbucks gift cards he'll be getting. I think he received more than $100 last time. He does have 210 students, so if each gave him just $5 in Starbucks he might even share with me.

The most memorable gift he recieved one year was a couple of goldfish...